Gambling Policy
When the Gambling Act 2005 (the Act) came into force in late 2007, it brought in a new, comprehensive system for gambling regulation in Great Britain. For the first time, the vast majority of commercial gambling was brought together into a single regulatory framework. The Act established a dedicated regulator, at a national level, in the form of the Gambling Commission. But it also recognised the potential local impact and importance of gambling. So, it created many local regulators, whose job it is to manage gambling locally, in line with local circumstances. Those regulators are the licensing authorities of England, Wales and Scotland. In doing so, the Act established a strong element of local decision-making and accountability in gambling regulation for the areas not reserved for the Gambling Commission.
The Act places a legal duty on both the Commission and licensing authorities to aim to permit gambling, in so far as it is considered to be reasonably consistent with the pursuit of the licensing objectives. The effect of this duty is that both the Commission and licensing authorities must approach their functions in a way that seeks to regulate gambling by using their powers, for example, powers to attach conditions to licences, to moderate its impact on the licensing objectives rather than by starting out to prevent it altogether.
The three licensing objectives (s.1 of the Act) which guide the way that the Commission and licensing authorities perform their functions and the way that gambling businesses carry on their activities are:
- preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder, or being used to support crime;
- ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way;
- protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.
The Act requires licensing authorities, such as East Herts Council, to publish a written policy, setting out how they intend to:
- exercise the licensing and enforcement powers conveyed to them;
- the principles that they will follow; and
- their expectations of licensees.
The Policy must be periodically reviewed, to ensure that it reflects the current legislation and remains relevant to the issues arising in the authority’s area.
The existence of a clear and robust policy statement provides greater scope for licensing authorities to work in partnership with operators, other local businesses, communities, and responsible authorities to identify and to proactively mitigate local risks to the licensing objectives.
The purpose of the consultation on this document is to allow operators, other local businesses, communities, and responsible authorities to help identify any local risks or issues related to gambling. These can then be considered and can help shape this policy so that it reflects local circumstances and needs.
The previous policy can be found here: Gambling Principles 2022-25. The 2025-28 draft revised Statement of Gambling Principles can be download from this webpage.
The consultation is open for 6 weeks from 21st July 2025 to 31st August 2025 (midnight). You can comment below or via email to: community.protection@eastherts.gov.uk or via post to:
Licensing, East Herts Council, Wallfields Pegs Lane Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG13 8EQ.
